Here are some of the most spectacular photos which formed part of this year’s National Geographic Traveller Photo Contest. May this inspire us all to explore and protect our natural world, as soon as we manage to pry our collective jaw off the floor.

We were having a terrible day until we caught a glimpse of the Chimpcat. It’s an original creation by illustrator and graphic designer Steven Dressler, who does amazing work even when he’s not digitally cross-breeding chimps with poker-faced cats.